Irises was painted by Suzuki Kiitsu in 1855.

Where can I see Irises?

Irises is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Artwork

Irises

Irises is an unspecified painting by Suzuki Kiitsu. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Irises is a mid‑nineteenth‑century Japanese painting executed in 1855 by the Rinpa school artist Suzuki Kiitsu. The work depicts a cluster of irises rendered with the decorative vigor characteristic of the period, and it is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a group of irises, a motif traditionally associated with elegance and seasonal change in Japanese art. By focusing on the flower’s graceful forms and vivid coloration, Kiitsu emphasizes the fleeting beauty of nature, a theme recurrent in Rinpa aesthetics.

Technique & Style

Kiatsu employed the Rinpa school’s signature approach, combining bold outlines with flat areas of color and delicate gold leaf accents. The brushwork balances precise detailing of the iris petals with broader, decorative washes, illustrating the artist’s mastery of both realism and stylization.

History & Provenance

Created in 1855, the painting entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the early twentieth century, reflecting the museum’s growing interest in Japanese decorative arts. Its provenance prior to the museum remains undocumented in public records.

Context

Kiitsu worked within the lineage of the Rinpa tradition founded by Hon’ami Kōetsu and Tawaraya Sōtatsu, later revived by Ogata Kōrin. By the 1850s, the school’s decorative motifs were being adapted for a market increasingly aware of Western tastes, situating Irises at a cultural crossroads.

Artist & collection

Artist

Suzuki Kiitsu

Japanese, 1796–1858

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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